Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU) has revealed that it demonstrated its online, social media-based learning service ‘Cloud Campus’, which was developed in partnership with Zain Group and Global Learning, at the Mobile World Congress that was held recently in Barcelona, Spain.

HBMeU further revealed that the various components of Social Online Learning - Cloud Campus together with a number of courses for different educational levels, collaboration environments, and academic support, were showcased at Zain’s booth at the Mobile World Congress.

Social Online Learning - Cloud Campus adopts an integrated concept that promotes world-class contemporary learning for learners of different nationalities and age groups by offering a convenient learning environment characterized by diversity and quality. It provides learners with an innovative social online learning experience through interactive communication with the best faculty who are keen to provide all needed support and academic guidance. As part of HBMeU’s efforts to adapt best international learning practices to local needs, the online content will also be made available in Arabic language, to reach as many learners as possible in the Arab world and therefore help create positive changes in different local communities.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMeU, said: “Our partnership with Zain is in line with our commitment to constantly strive to enhance our core offerings by taking advantage of innovative learning applications and popular online platforms to cater to a much wider range of target audiences. The launch of Social Online Learning - Cloud Campus at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona enabled us to optimally demonstrate how this online learning service has opened exciting opportunities to offer more compelling and customized solutions to learners across the region. Looking ahead, we will continue to leverage the latest advances in technology and HBMeU’s strategic relations with other key organisations such as Zain and Global Learning to further reinforce the university’s position as a leader in e-Learning in the Arab World.”

The courses that will be available through Social Online Learning are grouped in three different categories targeting various age groups as follows:

Social Online Learning - Cloud Campus offers more than 600 online lessons, categorized into Kids English, Teens English, General English, and Business English. These lessons follow the Cambridge curriculum, and prepare learners for the various levels of Cambridge exams.

School Content: More than 1,200 online lessons, covering all math, sciences and IT topics for grades 4 to 12. These target school students, to support and consolidate what they learn in school.

HBMeU commenced its partnership with Zain and Global Learning in January 2013, and this collaboration made Zain the first telecom operator in the Middle East to cooperate with HBMeU in such a manner. HBMeU is a first mover in e-learning in the Arab World, being the first accredited e-learning academic institution by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, whereas Zain Group is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications in eight markets across the Middle East and North Africa. Global Learning is a specialized company in social, online and mobile learning. With more than 15 years’ experience in the Middle East, and a large number of implemented online learning projects, Global Learning brings a wealth of know-how and expertise in the field.

Scott Gegenheimer, CEO, Zain Group said: “Zain Group is pleased to build on the earlier agreement we established with HBMeU, and we believe Social Online Learning will play an instrumental role in raising education levels across the region.”

Gegenheimer continued: “This demonstration of the new Social Online Learning - Cloud Campus service highlights the importance of social media in its ability to influence and to educate. Social Online Learning leverages these abilities in a formalized way, and we expect this initiative to be well-received and adopted across all the markets in which it is introduced.”

Starting with Zain customers in Kuwait, any user can register to Social Online Learning either by sending an SMS, or online. In both cases, the monthly subscription fee will be charged to his mobile number. All Zain customers will be given a free month subscription to try the application and the courses, after which they can decide to stay or unsubscribe. Zain expects to make the service available in Kuwait in April, with other group companies following in due course.

Mobile World Congress is a combination of the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry and a conference featuring prominent executives representing mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners from across the world. The event currently takes place in February at the Fira de Barcelona venue in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The annual attendance at Mobile World Congress is generally between 50,000-60,000 people.

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Background information

Launched on February 1, 2009, the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) is the first online institution to be licensed and recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates and among the few in the region.More...

Launched on February 1, 2009, the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) is the first online institution to be licensed and recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates and among the few in the region.

HBMSU is a pioneer in e-learning with a mission to re-shape education by providing a model of lifelong learning, including open access to short courses, executive development programs, certificate and diploma courses leading to accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs.